You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Evening everyone - Mrs Beanz here, looking for some advice regarding a problem I've got with my mouth!
Early November last year I had a tooth extracted. During the procedure one of the roots broke off and the dentist spent ages digging around in my mouth trying to get the root out which she eventually did. The tooth is the second one from the back at the top.
Since the extraction I have had pretty constant soreness in my mouth. The empty socket, the roof of my mouth, and the inside of my cheek is sore. The tooth at the back and the teeth on the bottom at the back seem to rub on my cheek all the time. My bottom lip and part of my top lip, especially on the one side, and my cheek feel numb and tingly - almost as though I've had an injection and it's just wearing off.
I went back to my dentist in early January as I was in so much discomfort. Dentist seemed at a loss as to an explanation of my pain. She suggested a bridge to fill the gap, but after impressions were taken, she said it was unethical to risk the two teeth either side by attaching a bridge, so she has referred me for an implant.
I am loathe to do this especially when my mouth feels so odd. I can't believe that a missing tooth is causing such unpleasant sensations in my mouth. This pain is pretty constant, I get slight relief by eating, drinking, chewing gum or generally keeping my mouth lubricated. When I'm hungry, or thirsty or have to talk a lot it's far worse. I need some advice about what it could be or what I can do - it's making me pretty miserable at the moment....
Thanks all - Kate
Not a dentist but have had extensive dental work.
My first thought would be the tooth wasn't extracted very well, some are more difficult than others especially if the roots are twisted and there may be an infection/abscess caused by any left over tooth material, my wild guess would be to get the socket drilled out properly and a short course of antibiotics to eliminate any infection.
The rubbing you described could be due to tissue swelling due to infection
Have you had a second opinion? Has your dentist re x rayed you? Normally an extraction won't cause any discomfort other than the first couple of days which is reletivley easily treated with a couple of ibrubrofens.
Thanks Mattyfez - my dentist (not one who did extraction) examined me prior to taking impressions and said there was no sign of infection - it surely would have got worse too? I'm thinking maybe some sort of nerve damage during extraction. Don't know. All I know is that it's flipping sore....it affects the way I talk when it's at it's worst. No, I havnt had a second opinion.....i cancelled the referral to implant specialist who wanted to charge me £250 just to talk to me... thinking of doctors just to get something to ease the burning/tingling sensation. Probably do need to get a second opinion - but what specialist do I see?
Ok, I'm a dentist but not really sure what's going on here. Have you had an x-ray to check whether any bits were left behind?
Why was the tooth extracted and did you have anything like the sensations beforehand?
The tingling/burning does sound like nerve damage but the distribution of the sensation doesn't really fit with digging in the area you describe. It's possible that there could have been some nerve damage when the local anaesthetic was placed but you'd be extremely unlucky for that to leave you with permanent damage. Has it got any worse or better in the time?
I'd say you need an x-ray at least, maybe CBCT of the area and referral to oral surgery/oral pathology dept nearby. Where are you?
FWIW I had a wisdom tooth out in November last year and it hasn't healed properly. I'm off for a revision in a couple of weeks but I've not had anything like the symptoms you've had.
Paul's an actual dentist here so I'll defer to his opinion, but I would think you'd need a couple of x rays just to see exactly what is, or isn't going on. A visual inspection isn't really enough.
Bridges or implants seem to be the nuclear bomb approach, so it's a bit worrying they suggested that before taking further x rays. That seems to be addressing the symptoms rather than the problem.
Just my opinion, and again I'm not a dentist, but I have a fair bit of experience on the other end of the drill so to speak, and I can tell you all dentists are not equal. It took me a while to find a dentist I trust.
Some things about the narrative don't really add up.
Paul’s an actual dentist here so I’ll defer to his opinion
come on Matty rules is rules, since when has STW deferred to an expert? even a proper one like Paul. Is it something to do with the new forum rules. However having had some not great times in the chair, I hope Mrs Beanz gets sorted soon:)
As Paul said the area of extraction and the area of the symptoms don’t really match up
One problem that occurs in that area is an OAF however your symptoms don’t really match up
http://jamiethedentist.com/oro-antral-communication/what-is-an-oroantral-communication
Have you any medical conditions or do you take any medication?
Thanks for the replies
The tooth started being really sensitive to hot and cold, it was refilled which sorted it for a while but then I was getting chronic off and on toothache - so they suggested I had it removed.
The gap is slightly bigger than one tooth size - as a child I had 4 teeth removed , two upper, two lower to make room for the ones I had left. The old gap although i had a brace
never completely filled. This is why if I had a bridge it would have to be fitted to the teeth either side. Dentist wouldn't do bridge - suggested implant with a specialist.
Soreness only started after extraction. Expected discomfort whilst it healed but after 4 weeks still a problem. Went back to dentist in January 8 weeks after extraction whereupon I was examined and was told no infection. She felt hole and said nothing there . If I feel the socket there is no pain and no sign of remenants. I wasn't offered another xray and didn't think to ask as presumed you would be able to feel if something was still in the hole
Medications - I get acid reflux and take two different products to ease this. I initially thought that maybe acid in my mouth was making my mouth sore, so I upped my medication but this hasn't made a difference.
Discomfort gets worse as the day goes on. It centres around the empty socket and then the roof of my mouth around the area gets sore. Then my teeth feel like they are rubbing on my cheek - I've bitten my cheek a few times. Then my bottom lip goes tingly mainly on the one side. My top lip feels a bit fat too on the one side. I keep licking my lips too and putting lip salve on them to make them feel better - which is possibly why they feel sore
I feel like saliva is draining into my mouth through the gap and I have to suck with my tongue especially when I am talking and swallow. My tongue also naturally goes to the gap. I can't sleep on that side of my face as my cheek goes into the hole and I bite my cheek in my sleep
I just need to know if having the gap filled would alleviate all these symptoms. Is it me causing the problem as it gets worse as the day goes on? I'm loathe to spend 2 - 3k on an implanted tooth, and the thought of having a screw fixed into my Jawbone when it's already sensitive just doesn't seem the right thing to do.
I obviously need a second opinion. I am based in Worcestershire
Thanks - Kate
What's going on there is not normal. An implant is a way of replacing a missing tooth not alleviating some strange symptoms. There are several possibilities but you need to see someone who knows about these things. I'm afraid I only know people in Northumberland/Newcastle but maybe get referred to Bristol or Birmingham dental hospital?
Good luck.
Thanks Paul4stones. Will see my Doc and dentist and discuss a referral
Definitely a second opinion I think, certainly another x-ray
To back up Paul4stones, as another dentist I'd advise a second opinion.
What you need is a diagnosis, not to be sold a bridge or implant.
I see too many patients who have had treatment but no initial diagnosis, and then you end up with a new bridge/implant and still have pain/discomfort...
Proper examination plus X-rays/scan would be needed to check for remnants of tooth/bone, to check for sinus communication etc. Checking sensation to note areas of change of sensation would be good.
Dental teaching hospital would be good, local oral/maxillofacial surgeon could probably help too.
Tongue/cheek finding the gap is not uncommon but the discomfort needs investigating.
Ps that's not meant as a criticism of what's been done so far...
also I'm south Hants way so sadly not much use for you.